A recent study from Denmark adds to concerns about the impact of marijuana use on mental health. According to a Wall Street Journal op-ed by psychologist Susan Pinker, a mammoth study of the health records of all 6.5 million Danes over a 26-year period showed a strong correlation between cannabis (marijuana) use disorder and various mental health diagnoses.
According to Pinker, “cannabis use disorder” can be defined as “craving marijuana, using it more often than intended, spending a lot of time using it, and having it interfere with friends, family and work.” The Centers for Disease Control states that approximately 30 percent of American marijuana users develop cannabis use disorder.
The study showed that persons diagnosed with cannabis use disorder were nearly two times as likely to later be diagnosed with clinical depression. Furthermore, the study indicated that persons with cannabis use disorder “were up to four times as likely to be diagnosed later with bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms.”
The study also found that the amount of cannabis a person consumed was directly correlated with a higher risk of bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms. While Pinker cautioned that the study did not answer the question of whether heavy cannabis use leads to mental illness or whether mentally ill people are more likely to use cannabis, its findings are striking.
Some marijuana users may dismiss a study like this one on the grounds that their usage of marijuana has not become an addiction, and that the study’s findings are irrelevant to their lives. The truth, however, is that no marijuana user knows for certain whether he or she will develop an addiction to the substance. Moreover, according to an article in Psychology Today, high levels of THC in today’s marijuana products “parallels rising cases of addiction and mental health issues, especially psychosis.”
Even CNN reported that “high potency cannabis, compared to low potency cannabis, was linked to a four-fold increased risk of addiction.”
We cannot ignore the fact that today’s pot has been modified to be far more potent than it was in the past. Because of that, it is presenting unprecedented problems. States that have legalized recreational use of marijuana are serving as unfortunate testing grounds and revealing frightening physical, psychological and social effects, especially with more frequent use and higher-than-ever THC levels.
Wonder why we are seeing record levels of suicide and depression in our culture? Marijuana use may not be the root cause, but it certainly is exasperating and expediting the downward spiral. The rejection of Truth—even the very concept of Truth—is leading us into chaos and confusion.
We believe that high potency marijuana use is also a factor in the increase in violence that we are seeing in our culture as well. THC is linked to causing psychosis and schizophrenia. And, according to this review published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it is known that those suffering from those conditions are at increased risk to show “show elevated levels of aggressive behaviour” — including violent crimes and homicide.
Ignoring God’s commands, precepts and guidelines for living has consequences.
We have forgotten (or are choosing to ignore) what Scripture says on the matter. For example:
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. ~Proverbs 23:29-35
Likewise, the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk warned:
Woe to you who make your neighbors drink, who mix in your venom even to make them drunk so as to look on their nakedness! ~ Habakkuk 2:15
The phrase “mix in your venom” and “mixed wine” refers to the ancient practice of adding herbs or drugs to wine to make it more potent. Today, people mix marijuana in punch, lollipops, cookies and brownies, and even spray THC concentrate on gummy bears. Reportedly, the THC potency is so strong that the recommended “dose” for an adult is one quarter of a gummy bear! Who eats just one quarter of a gummy bear?!? It’s no wonder people are rushed to ERs in agony as they experience the dangerous side effects of THC overdose.
State lawmakers/policymakers are misleading the public. Marijuana is not a benign or beneficial drug no matter how vigorously its proponents claim otherwise. Yet you will not hear public service announcements or read billboards urging you to “Just Say No to Drugs,” especially now that they have created a tax stream from the sale of this poison.
Christians most certainly should understand how Scripture instructs us to live and heed its admonitions:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ~ 1 Peter 5:8
This is a warning! Be sober – don’t be intoxicated! Keep a clear head and a sound mind. Romans 13:13 exhorts us to walk soberly and Proverbs 20:1 warns us that being led astray into inebriation is not wise.
Marijuana is a dangerous drug, and it places the physical and mental health of users at risk.
It is vital that we know the truth of God’s Word so we can recognize and refute the schemes of the devil and thwart his desire to devour people with his lies. We must be informed and proactive to talk with our children and grandchildren about the practical and biblical reasons to avoid the insidious temptation to use marijuana. Finally, we must clearly speak up to make our concerns and objections known to the men and women who represent us in Springfield.
